Improving conditions: PPR flats in Kuala Lumpur are hoping to use the allocation to better maintain their lifts. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Relief ripples through the residents of People’s Housing Projects (PPR) in the country’s capital as RM300mil was allocated under Budget 2026 for the upkeep of these flats.
PPR Kerinchi Block C chairman Mohd Yusoff Ibrahim hopes that the funds will result in better lift maintenance.
“Lift malfunctions are prevalent at PPR flats in the city. Sometimes, lifts at our flats would be out of order for over a month.
“Malfunctions that happen to the emergency lift can be disastrous as it may hamper rescue efforts,” he said.
In announcing the allocation when tabling Budget 2026 yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in his speech: “I recently visited Pantai Dalam to inspect the condition of public housing, which frequently experiences lift malfunctions.
“I have instructed DBKL to immediately commence repair work on all broken lifts in public housing before the end of this year.”
The amount is part of the RM500mil allocation under Budget 2026 for Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), where the remaining sum will be for upgrading and maintaining hawker centres and food courts.
Stakeholders are calling on DBKL to build more of these facilities to accommodate the growing needs of urban folk as well as to ensure orderliness.
Bandar Tun Razak Hawker Centres and Food Courts Association chairman Zulkhoari Abdul Aziz said DBKL should upgrade food courts to include venues for holding community activities and green spaces, besides ensuring proper maintenance.
“Food courts and markets double as public spaces where locals can hang out and socialise.
“It would be great to have a small park next to a food court as a local attraction, which would also encourage healthy activities among nearby communities,” Zulkhoari added.
The government is also providing RM60mil to build stalls and repair public markets across all local authorities.
Separately, the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) will upgrade 363 Mara business premises nationwide with nearly RM50mil in allocation, benefitting about 7,300 entrepreneurs.
Kepong Baru Morning Market Association adviser Yee Poh Ping said DBKL should centralise market traders to complexes and indoor trading areas.
“Roadside hawkers are still commonplace in Kuala Lumpur despite various past enforcement operations, causing cleanliness and safety issues for nearby residents.
“They should be housed in a building and should not be left operating by the roadside,” he said.
